Xi Jinping's focus on a long arc of Chinese history and managing a near abroad from a position of strength connects him more to powerful Qing emperors like Kangxi and Qianlong than to the revolutionary Mao. This comparison highlights his goal of restoring China's historical predominance.

In a closed society like North Korea, low-tech information warfare can be highly effective. For defector Kim Soong-min, simple paper leaflets detailing South Korea's prosperity were more impactful than digital campaigns could ever be. They directly contradicted state propaganda and planted the critical seeds of doubt that led to his escape.

According to Maria Corina Machado, Nicolás Maduro's rise to power was not an internal decision but a direct choice by the Cuban government. Having been trained in Cuba and demonstrating total loyalty to the Castro regime, Maduro was selected to ensure Cuba's continued influence and control over Venezuela.

As a 'princeling,' Xi Jinping possesses an intuitive, inherited understanding of the Communist Party's hidden power networks. This allows him to surgically purge high-level opponents without getting 'zapped,' a feat his predecessors couldn't manage.

Authoritarian leaders who publicly mock or dismiss threats risk triggering a military response driven by personal pride. Venezuelan President Maduro's televised dancing was reportedly perceived by the Trump administration as calling their bluff, demonstrating how avoiding the appearance of being a 'chump' can become a primary motivator for military action.

The Dauphin's court did not accept Joan in a vacuum. Decades-old prophecies foretelling that a virgin would save France provided the political and cultural cover necessary to support her seemingly outlandish mission. This pre-existing narrative made her claims plausible and her backing politically defensible.

Unlike predecessors who were revealed late, Kim Jong-un is publicly positioning his young daughter as successor. This early move, combined with North Korea's strong nuclear arsenal, suggests the regime feels secure from external threats and is now primarily focused on managing internal power dynamics and preventing a succession crisis.

The court ritual where Joan "identified" the Dauphin she had already met was a deliberate piece of political theatre. This staged "pantomime" was not a genuine test but a public relations exercise designed to cement the narrative of her divine gifts and the Dauphin's legitimacy in the minds of the entire court.

At elite gatherings like Davos, perceived political power is physically manifested. California Governor Gavin Newsom's presence was described as having a literal "light shining on" him, with an entourage and commanding physical stature that made others instinctively see him as the next president.